Pennsylvania Injury Deadlines: An Overview

A statute of limitations is the deadline to file a lawsuit. Missing it usually ends the claim, regardless of its merits.

General rule

Most personal injury and wrongful death actions in Pennsylvania must be filed within two years (42 Pa.C.S. § 5524).

Common exceptions

• Claims against government entities generally require written notice within six months (42 Pa.C.S. § 5522).
• For injured minors, the period generally does not begin until age 18 (42 Pa.C.S. § 5533(b)).
• Childhood sexual abuse claims have an extended period, generally until age 55 (42 Pa.C.S. § 5533(b)(2)).
• The discovery rule may delay the start in limited situations.
• Medical malpractice has a seven-year statute of repose in most cases (40 P.S. § 1303.513).

These are general rules only. Your actual deadline depends on facts an attorney must review.